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Patented Jan. 17,1882.

n I NIE.:

(Model.)

P. P. HODGES.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN BINDER.

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(Model.)A

P. F. HODGES. AUTOMATIC .GRAIN BINDER;

No. 252,463..` Patented Jan.' 17,1282.

any f WW L N. PETERS. Phuwuimgnpfwr. wmingfonl nc.

UNITED STATES lPATENT OFFICE.-

PLINY F. HODGES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO I-IIMSELF AND v WILLIAM DEERING, OF SAME PLAGE. l

d AUTOMATIC GRAlN-BlNDEFl.v

\ A SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,463, dated January 17, 1882.

i I Application filed November 10, 1880. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern:

crank, having ahead orflan ge provided with flange for engaging the stops fp'; r, the slot an internal co,g,rged segment and a stop-flange Be it known that l, PLINY F. HODGES, rearranged relatively to each other and to stopsiding at Chicago, in the county of Cook and pinions-which operate the twisting and cut- State of Illinois, and a citizen of the United ting mechanisms, and so located iureference 5 States, have invented a new and useful Im to the movements ofthe binding-arm that the 55 provenient in Automatic Grain-Binders, of twister and cutter will each have a positive which the following is a full description, refaction given them by the crank while the arm erence being had to the accompanying drawis finishing its downstroke by the engagement ings, in whichof thelcogged segment with the pinions, and

ro Fignrel shows an elevation of the bindingwill be inoperative during the balance of the 6 o arm and crank with the cap or cover removed inovementof the crank and arm bythe engaget'o show the twister and cutter and their operment of the stop-flange with the stops on the ating mechanisms; Fig. 2, alongitudinal secpinions; inthe peculiararrangement and local tion of thebinding-arm on line l 1 of Fig. 1, tion ofthe mechanisinsinrelation to each other showing the cutters` and operating mechanand to the bindiugarm; iu the peculiar con- 65 ism; Figs. 3 and 4, details showing the slide struction of the binding-arm and crank and and support for the cutters; Fig 5, a detail theirrelalion one to the other, whereby the in longitudinal section of the binding-arm, crank performs both the office of moving the showing the mechanism for operating the arm and of actuating the twisting and cutting 2o twister; Fig. 6, an elevation of the crank demechanisms; and in the peculiar construrtion 7o tached; Fig. 7, a detail showing the location and arrangement of the shear-blades and their of the stop-pinions b v which the mechanisms opening and closing devices. of the twister and cutter are operated; Figs. In the drawings, A represents the body of '8 and 9, enlarged details of the stop piuions. binding-arm; B, the cover; C, the extension;

This invention belongs to automatic grain- D, the bearing for the crank head or liange; 75 binders in which wireis used as the means for E, the crank head or flange; F, the crank; a, encompassingthe bundle, the wirebeingpassed the twister-hook; a', the shank of the hook a; around the bundle by an arm, after which the b b', the gear-wheels for revolving the hook a; strands are twisted andthe main wire severed c, the shaft for driving the gear-wheels b b;

3o to linish'the operation; and it relates particucf, the bearings for the shaft c; el elf, the gear-V 8o larly to the construction, arrangement, and Wheels for-driving the shaft c; c', the shaft of operation ofthe twisting and cutting devices the wheel d'; c', the bearing for the shaft e; in' their relation to each other and to the move- |f, the stop-pinion for driving the shaft e; f', ments of the binding-arm, and has for its obthe stop on the pinion j'; f/ h, the blades of ject to simplify the construction and arrangethe cutters; g' It', the levers or handles ofthe 85 ment. of the mechanism which operates these cutters; 1'., the pivot for the cntters;,jj, the devices, and to insure a positive action of the links for opening and closing thc cutters; kk',

` twister and cutter which will make their op- .the pivots for the links; la, the supports for i eration effectual and certain; and its nature the links; l, the sliding plate carrying the 4o consists in providing acutting device consistcutters; Z', the guide-pin for the plate I,- l", 9o

` ing of shear-blades pivoted together, and havthe ears on the plate I.; m, the support or guide ing their tails or handle ends operated by pivfor the plate l,- m, theslot for the pin l; m", oted link-connections through the movements the ears orlugs t'or attachment ofthe platcm; of a sliding block carrying the shear-blades, a, the pitman or rodfor operating the plate L; and having a reciprocating movement given a', the eccentric for operating n; o, the shaft 95 f l thereto by a pitman operated from an eccenof the eccentrica; o', the bearing for the shaft tric, and a twisting device consisting of a hook o,- p, the stop-pinion for driving the shaft o; operated by an intermittently-revolving shaft p', the stop on the pinion p,- g, the cogged segand gear-wheels, both actuated by a single ment for engagingthe'pinionsfp; q', the stop- 10o in the bindingarm point for the passage of the binding-wire; s, the stop or guide for retaining the cover of the' binding-arm; s', the wire-slot in the guide s; t, the stops against which the binding-wire is drawn; u u', the anti-friction rollers for allowing the bindingwire to draw without injuring the twistinghook; e, the opening in the point of the binding-arm for the discharge of the waste wire and other substances; w, the bolt for attaching the crank to the binding-arm, and serving as a pivot or trunnion forthe head of the binding-arm crank; fr, the bearing in the bindingarm for the bolt to; y, the bearing on the head of the binding-arm crank; z, the opening for attaching the crank to a driving-shaft.

As shown, the twister and cutter are located and operate in thepointl of the binding-arm. The mechanisms for operating' them are carried by the arm, and the cran-k whichvibrates the arm also actuales the mechanism; but the devices, with their operating mechanisms, can he attached beneath a binding-tableand perform their respective functions, the drivingcrank being operated in any suitable manner in unison with the. movements of the bindingarm. n

The body A and extension O may be of the form shown in Fig. 1, or any othtr suitable form for the location of the twister and cutter and their operating mechanism in the bodyA, and for hanging the arm so that it can have a vibratory or reciprocatingmovement to carry thebinding-wirearoundthebundle. Asshown, the body and extension are cast or other-wise formed from a single piece, the extension being somewhat curved, the body enlarged atits upper end, its central portion straight, or nearly so, and its point slightly curved and sharp to enterand pass through the grain for the bundle. The body A is provided with aside flange extending from near its extreme point around its entire edge, forming a central cavity, in which are located the twister and cutter, and their operating mechanism, and at thc juncture of the crank with the body is an enlargement, D, forming a circular plate,which serves as a bearing for the end of the crank which drives thc arm.

The coverB is cast or otherwise formed into a shape corresponding to the flanged portion of the body A, and its entire edge is provided with side flanges coinciding with the side flangesv of which bears against the enlargement D when the parts are together. The arm orlever portion Eef the crank is of sufficient length to give the required throw to the binding-arm, and has an opening, z, for attaching the crank to a revolving shaft. The arm is to be suspended by attaching the crank to its shaft and connecting the end of the extension C, by a link or otherwise, to a support, so that as the crank revolves the arm will be given a vibrating or rey ciproeating movement.

The twister may be in the form of a hook, a, as shown, or of any other well-known form of revolving twister which will act to twist the strandsof wiie 'together and coil the end of themain wire around its shank to holdthe wire. The shank a is mounted in suitable bearings formed on the body A, so arranged as to bring the hook in proper position to do its work. As shown, two bearings are provided, one at or near the edge of the body and the other within the body, the upper or cap portion of each being removable and the under formed or cast'with thebody. Between these bearings, on the shank, is secured a beveled-gear wheel, b, which meshes with a beveledgear wheel, b', ofsomewhat larger diameter, secured to the lower end of a shaft, c, mounted in suitable bearings, c', the upper or cap portions of which are removable, and the under portions are cast or formed with the body A. To the upper end of this shaft cis secured a beveled-gear wheel, d, which meshes with a beveled-gear wheel, d', of larger diameter, secured to a short transverse shaft, e, which has its hearing ina projection or boss, e', located on the body A in line with the shaft c,

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so that the shaft e will properly center with as to leave a plane face, which forms a stop,f

making the pinion a stop-pini0n and giving the shaft c an intermittent rotary movement. The shaft c is' located on one side of the body A, and its location and the location and arrangement of the beveled gears d d b b', bearings c c', twister-hook a, and its shank a in relation to each other and to the shaft c are shown in Figs. l and 5, and the location and arrangement of the shaft e, bearing e', and Vpinionfin relation to the shaft c and the center of motion of the flange of the crank-head are `shown in Figs. l,`5, and 7.

The construction, it will be seen, is very simple, and at the same time it will be found efficient and positive in .its action, giving to the twister a positive movement.

The device for severing the wire consists of two cutters or bades, g h, having straight cutting-edges properly beveled, and curved handles or levers g h', each blade and its handle, as shown, being formed from a single piece, the curve of the handles bringing them to the opposite side of their respective blades and crossing the blades and handles, so that when joined together by a suitable screw or pivot, t', they work on the plan and -principle of a pair of shears. The outer ends of the handles g h are respectively pivoted to the outer or free ends oflinksjj by means of suitable pins or pivots, k, which links are of corresponding length, are located opposite each other in parallel planes, and have corresponding movements inthe arc of circles ofthe same radius, and are pivoted at their inner ends, by means of suitable pins or pivots, k, to projections kt',

located on opposite sides of the frame m, in

line-with each other, and at the samedistance` fiom the center ofthe frame, lso that the stationary point-ofpivot of each link will be equidistant from a line passing through the point of pivot of the shear-blades.

The slide or head carries the shears, which are pivoted thereto by the screw pin or pivot .j This slide'or head Z is located in the frame m,

and hasareciprocating movement, which movement ladvances and recedes the shears, and also opens and closes them through the action of the linksjj, the free ends of which are carried inward as the shears descend, carrying 4with them the handles gand h and closing the blades g h, and are carried outward as the shears ascend, carrying the handles with them and opening the blades, making the movements automatic in both directions.

The frame m is made or east from a single` piecc,soastohaveupwardly-projectingflanges,Y

between which is an opening suitable to receive the frame l, which, as shown, is retained in place between the side flanges by the screw orpin l', the shank of whichV passes through the elongated slot mi', formed in the bottom of the frame, lntothe body of the slide, the slot m being of suilcient length for the slide to re` i, ranged inreference to, the hook and the bindingwire that the advance of theshears will bring the blades each side of the wire, and the,

closing of the blades by the advance will sever the wire outside ofthe twisting-hook.

On the upper end ot' the slide Z` are lugs or ears l", between which is pivoted the lower end cfa pitman orl` rod, n, which extends up and has its upperend provided with an opening to receive an eccentric, n', formed by attach ing a circular disk or wheel at oneside of its center to a shaft, o, which shaft has its bearing in a projection or boss, o', cast or formed on the body A, so as to bring the shaft within the interior of the flange on the head E. The shaft o extends through the body A, and to its projecting end is secured a pinion, p, having a'stop,p, the pinion and stop being similar in form and construction to the pinion f and stop f", (shown in FigsLS and 9,) making the pinion a stoppinion and giving the eccentric n an intermittent rotary movement.' j

The frame m stands ed gewise to the body A, Iand at right angles, or nearly so, to the shank ofthe twister, and the pitman n is located op` posite the shaft c, and its location and the location ofthe frame and shears in referenccto `the twisting-hook areshown in Fig. 1, and the `construction and arrangement of the slide, the

shears, and the actuating-links are shown in Fig. 2. The locationof the eccentric and its 1 shaft and driving-pinion inrelation to the di iving-pinionfalid the driving-gear of the shaft c andthe center of motion of the llange of the `crank-head is shown in Figs. l, 2, and 7. This cutting mechanism is very simple in its construction and arrangement, and ispositive in its action, as each advance ofthe slide or head l must' close the blades and sever the wire, and

the advance must take place whenever the eccentric is revolved.

The pinio'nsfp are located and arranged in s nch relation to the center of motion of the crank and to the interior diameter ot' the flange on lthe head ofthe crank as to bein the arcofa circle struck from the pivotcenter land Within thciinterior circumference ofthe tlange. The interior face of the flange is provided with a cogged segment, g, having the requisite number of cogs or leaves to engage the pinions p and cause them to make one complete revolution inpassing the length of the segment. The cogs or leaves of this segment extend fromthe bottom of the ilangeto its edge, and extending around the interior of the tlangelfromt` each end of the segment is a ledge or dange, g', which projects inward inline with the face of the segment and comes in contact with the cutfawaytportion ofthe pinions and keeps them from revolving, except when engaged `by the t segment, theflange beingof the requisite depth for` the end face of the cut-away leaves of the pinion to ride thereon or clear it, so as not to interfere with the revolving ot' the head E aron nd its pivot. The pinions j' p are so located and arranged with reference to each other and to the cogged segment q thattas the head revolves the cogged segment will first engage the pinionfand drive the twister through the shaft cand lgear d tZ/b b', and will pass from that pinion and engage the pinion p and rotatethe eccentric n and advance and recede the shears, by which arrangement the wire will be first twisted or coiled, andthen severed at the rompletion ot' the twisting or coi'ling. The locations of the cogged segment and pinions in relation to the movement ofthe binding-arm and crank are `such that the segment will commence tofact on the pinion fas thefarmi is completing its forward or down movement and just before" the crank begins its upward movement, and will pass from the pinion p after the crank has commenced its ascent; and the construction and arrangement of these parts enable both pinions and their respective mechanisms to be operated from and by the same driving device on the crank and at the proper time, and insure a perfect and harmonious operation of both devices which will be positive and reliable.

The binding-arm is provided with a slot, r, for the passage of the bindingwire into the arm,

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so as to be within reach of the twisting and eutting devices, which slot, as shown, is formed partly in the tlanges of both the body and cover.

Guides or retainers for keeping the coverand body in proper relation are to be provided, i0- eated on the iiange ot' either the cover or the body, one of which, s, is shown located just below the frame in, and is provided with a slot, s', corresponding vto and coinciding with the slot r for the passage of the binding-wire.

The stops or shoulders tare formed by the face of the anges at the end of the sots, and limit the passage ofthe wire into the arm,and in order to prevent breakingor cutting oi' the Wire they are rounded oii', so as to present a circular face for contact with the wire.

The binding arm ispivotally connected with the crank by a pin or bolt, w, located at the center of the head E, a projection or boss, y, being formed at that point, through which and the end ofthe crank the bolt passes, and is to be rmly secured by any suitable means. -This bolt projects beyond the face of the flange on the head, and extends through the projection or boss x formed on the body A, which forms a bearing therefor, and its projecting end is screw-threaded, so that bymeans of a nut the crank and arm are pivotally united. The cover and body are to be secured together by bolts or otherwise, the bolts being so located as not to interfere with the operation of the devices located and operating within the arm.'

The operation will be readily understood.v

The binding-wire is carried around the bundle in the usual manner, and as the arm reaches the point where the segment q acts on the pinion j' the binding-arm will have carried the 'wire so that it is around the bundle and in posit-ion in the slot i" for the twister to catch the two strands of the Wire and twistthem together, after which the Wire is severed by the cutters and the bundle free to be discharged, and this operation will continue till the binding is completed. The binding-wire passes from a spool suitably located for the purpose, and anti-friction rollers u a are provided to take the strain,v

off the wire and pievent it from cutting into the hook. When attached to a binding-table instead of a binding-arm, the parts are to have the same relative arrangement to each other, o

mechanisms,the crank having a head similarV in construction to the head E, and for the same purpose.

In piace ofthe eccentrica might be used a 'crank located on the ond of the shaft o and ya driving-piniomf, and a cutting device cou- Asisting of shear-blades pivoted to a slidinghead and operated by a pitman and eccentricl from a driving-pinion, p, the piniousfp both being driven intermittently by the rotation ot' a single crank, substantially as and for thc purposes specified.

2. A wire-cutting device for an automatic grain-binder, consisting of the blades g h, hav-= ing the handles g It', links jj', pivoted as described, slide or head l', carrying the shears and located in a support or frame, and a mechL anism for reciprocating. the head or slide and advancing and receding the shear-blades to open and close them, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

'3. The twisting-hook a, having a shank, a', beveled gear b t', shaft c, beveled gear d d', stop-pinionf, shear-blades g h, having handles g h', linksjj, slide or head l, frame m, pitman or rod ,cccentric mand stop-pinion 10,1ocated and arranged as described, in combination with the head E, located on theend of the crank F, and having a flange provided with a cogged segment, q, and stoptlange g', for operating the twisting and cutting mechanisms, i

substantially as specited.

4. A binding-arm consisting of the body A, extension C, and cover B, the body and cover having side flanges to form an interior chamber to receive the twisting incchanism,consist ing ofthe hook a, having the shank a', beveled gear b b', shaft c, and beveled gear Z d', and

to receive the cutting mechanism consisting ot' the blades g h, having handles g It', links jj', slide or head l, frame m, pitman or rod n,

and eccentric a', and locate the two mechanisms side by side, and have them operative entirely within the binding-arm, substantially as specified.

PLINY AF. Honoris. l

Witnesses: I

O. W. BOND, A. H. ADAMS.

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